Truck Bedslide Assembly

ABSTRACT

A bedslide assembly for use on a deck bed of a pickup truck is provided. An illustrative example of the bedslide assembly includes a bottom frame assembly, middle frame assembly, and top frame assembly. The bottom frame assembly includes a first latch bracket and a second latch bracket. The middle frame assembly includes a first latch assembly and a second latch assembly. The first latch assembly includes a hook. The second latch assembly also includes a hook. The top frame assembly includes an end plate. The hook of the first latch assembly is selectively engageable with the first latch bracket of the bottom frame assembly. The hook of the second latch assembly is selectively engageable with the end plate of the top frame assembly.

RELATED APPLICATIONS

The present application relates to and claims priority to U.S. patentapplication Ser. No. 17/083,889, filed on Oct. 29, 2020, entitled “TruckBedslide Assembly,” and U.S. Provisional Patent Application, Ser. No.62/929,387, filed on Nov. 1, 2019. The subject matter disclosed in theseapplications is hereby expressly incorporated into the presentapplication.

TECHNICAL FIELD AND SUMMARY

The present disclosure relates to trucks such as pickup trucks, andtruck beds used on pickup trucks, and like vehicles. In particular, thepresent disclosure relates to a bedslide assembly affixed to the truckbed, which is extendable from, and retractable to, the truck bed.

A truck bed is a large open cargo space of a pickup truck located behindthe cab section. The truck bed is typically composed of a deck floorbounded by opposing sidewalls. A bulkhead wall extends between theopposed sidewalls and is located adjacent the cab section. The tailgateis located opposite the bulkhead wall at the rear end of the truck bedand movable between open and closed positions.

An illustrative embodiment of the present disclosure provides a bedslideassembly for use on a deck bed of a pickup truck. The bedslide assemblycomprises a bottom frame assembly, middle frame assembly, and top frameassembly. The bottom frame assembly is configured to be attached to thedeck bed. The bottom frame assembly includes spaced apart opposing firstand second side bars, at least one roller rotatably attached to each ofthe first and second side bars, and at least one cross member extendingtransverse the first and second side bars. The at least one cross memberincludes a first latch bracket and second latch bracket attachedthereon. A stop arm extends transverse to the at least one cross memberand includes a plurality of periodically spaced holes.

The middle frame assembly includes opposing spaced apart first andsecond rail sets. Each of the first and second rail sets includes anupper rail and a lower rail. At least one cross member with a fullextension stop bracket attached to the first and second rail sets. Themiddle frame assembly further incudes a first latch assembly, a secondlatch assembly, and a stop member. The first latch assembly includes ahook biased toward a downward latching direction with respect to thetruck bed. The biased hook includes a paddle both of which arepivotable. The second latch assembly includes a hook biased toward anupward latching direction with respect to the truck bed. The biased hookincludes a paddle both of which are pivotable. The stop member is atleast partially pivotable with respect to the middle frame assembly.

The top frame assembly includes spaced apart opposing first and secondside bars, at least one roller rotatably attached to each of the firstand second side bars, at least one cross member extending transverse thefirst and second side bars, an end plate also extending transverse thefirst and second side bars, a stop member, and a selective stopmechanism. The stop member of the top frame assembly is at leastpartially pivotable with respect to the top frame assembly. Theselective stop mechanism includes a stop pin that extends transversewith respect to the spaced apart opposing first and second side bars.

At least one roller is rotatably attached to each of the first andsecond side bars of the top frame assembly. The rollers engage and aremovable along one of the upper rails of the opposing spaced apart firstand second rail sets of the middle frame assembly. At least one rolleris rotatably attached to each of the first and second side bars of thebottom frame assembly as well. The rollers engage and are movable alongone of the lower rails of the opposing spaced apart first and secondrail sets of the middle frame assembly.

The stop pin of the selective stop mechanism selectively engages any oneof the plurality of periodically spaced holes of the stop arm. Thislimits movement of the top frame assembly and the middle frame assemblywith respect to the bottom frame assembly at each of the plurality ofperiodically spaced holes. The hook of the first latch assembly isselectively engageable with the first latch bracket on the cross memberof the bottom frame assembly. When the paddle of the first latchassembly is struck by the end plate of the top frame assembly the hookof the first latch assembly is releasable from the first latch bracketon the cross member of the bottom frame assembly. The hook of the secondlatch assembly is selectively engageable with the end plate of the topframe assembly, and when the paddle of the second latch assembly isstruck by the second latch bracket of the bottom frame assembly the hookof the second latch assembly is releasable from the end plate of the topframe assembly.

In the above and other embodiments, the tonneau cover may furthercomprise: the stop member of the top frame assembly being engageablewith the full extension stop bracket of the middle frame assembly tolimit extension of the top frame assembly with respect to the middleframe assembly; the stop member of the middle frame assembly beingengageable with the second latch bracket of the bottom frame assembly tolimit extension of the middle frame assembly with respect to the bottomframe assembly; the upper rail of each of the first and second rail setsincludes an inwardly-positioned bearing; the at least one rollerrotatably attached to the first side bar of the top frame assembly isoutwardly-positioned and is movable along the inwardly-positionedbearing of the upper rail of the first rail set of the middle frameassembly and the at least one roller rotatably attached to the secondside bar of the top frame assembly is outwardly-positioned and ismovable along the inwardly-positioned bearing of the upper rail of thesecond rail set of the middle frame assembly; the bottom rail of each ofthe first rail and second rail sets includes an outwardly-positionedbearing; the at least one roller rotatably attached to the first sidebar of the bottom frame assembly is inwardly-positioned and is rotatablealong the outwardly-positioned bearing of the lower rail of the firstrail set of the middle frame assembly and the at least one rollerrotatably attached to the second side bar of the bottom frame assemblyis inwardly-positioned and is rotatable along the outwardly-positionedbearing of the lower rail of the second rail set of the middle frameassembly; the selective stop mechanism further includes a rod that whenmoved pivots a bracket that is attached to the stop pin to selectivelymove the stop pin into and out of any of the one of each of theplurality of periodically spaced holes of the stop arm; a top deckattached to the top frame assembly; the first latch assembly includes aspring attached to the hook to bias the hook toward the downwardlatching direction; and the second latch assembly includes a springattached to the hook to bias the hook toward the upward latchingdirection.

Another illustrative embodiment of the present disclosure provides abedslide assembly for use on a deck bed of a pickup truck. The bedslideassembly comprises a bottom frame assembly, middle frame assembly, andtop frame assembly. The bottom frame assembly includes a first latchbracket and a second latch bracket. The middle frame assembly includes afirst latch assembly and a second latch assembly. The first latchassembly includes a hook biased towards a latching direction. The secondlatch assembly includes a hook biased towards a latching direction. Thetop frame assembly includes an end plate. The hook of the first latchassembly is selectively engageable with the first latch bracket of thebottom frame assembly. The hook of the second latch assembly isselectively engageable with the end plate of the top frame assembly.

In the above and other embodiments, the tonneau cover may furthercomprise: the bottom frame assembly further comprises a stop armextending within the bottom frame assembly wherein the stop arm includesa plurality of periodically spaced holes; the top frame assembly furthercomprises a selective stop mechanism that includes a stop pin thatselectively engages any one of the plurality of periodically spacedholes of the stop arm to limit movement of the top frame assembly; thestop pin that selectively engages the one of each of the plurality ofperiodically spaced holes of the stop arm limits both movement of thetop frame assembly and middle frame assembly with respect to the bottomframe assembly; the middle frame assembly includes a stop member; thetop frame assembly includes a stop member; the middle frame assemblyincludes a full extension stop bracket that is selectively engagablewith the stop member of the top frame assembly; the stop member of themiddle frame assembly is engagable with the second latch bracket of thebottom frame assembly; the hook of the first latch assembly isdisengagable from the first latch bracket of the bottom frame assemblywhen the first latch assembly is struck by the endplate of the top frameassembly; and the hook of the second latch assembly is disengagable fromthe endplate of the top frame assembly when the second latch assembly isstruck by the second latch bracket of the bottom frame assembly.

Additional features and advantages of the bedslide assembly will becomeapparent to those skilled in the art upon consideration of the followingdetailed descriptions of carrying out the bedslide assembly as presentlyperceived.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

The concepts described in the present disclosure are illustrated by wayof example and not by way of limitation in the accompanying figures. Forsimplicity, and clarity of illustration, elements illustrated in thefigures are not necessarily drawn to scale. For example, the dimensionsof some elements may be exaggerated relative to other elements forclarity. Further, where considered appropriate, reference labels may berepeated among the figures to indicate corresponding or analogouselements.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a bedslide assembly with the bedslidedeck located in its retracted position;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the bedslide assembly with the bedslidedeck extended from the bottom frame;

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a bottom frame assembly;

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a middle frame assembly;

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a top frame assembly;

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a slide deck;

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of the bedslide assembly extended to a fullextension;

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of the bedslide assembly partiallyretracted;

FIG. 9 is another perspective view of the bedslide assembly furtherrecessed from that shown in FIG. 8 ;

FIG. 10 is another perspective view of the bedslide assembly furtherretracted than that shown in FIG. 9 ;

FIG. 11 is another perspective view of the bedslide assembly at fullretraction similar to that shown in FIG. 1 ;

FIG. 12 is a perspective detail view of latching assemblies of thebedslide assembly which is retracted to the extent similarly shown andFIG. 9 ;

FIG. 13 is a detail perspective view of a portion of bedslide assemblypartially exploded with the endplate removed for demonstrative purposes;

FIG. 14 is a perspective detail partial cutaway view of a portion of thebedslide assembly;

FIG. 15 is another detail cutaway view of a portion of the bedslideassembly; and

FIG. 16 is another detail partially cutaway view of a portion of thebedslide assembly.

Corresponding reference characters indicate corresponding partsthroughout the several views. The exemplification set out hereinillustrates embodiments of the bedslide assembly, and suchexemplification is not to be construed as limiting the scope of thebedslide assembly in any manner.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The figures and descriptions provided herein may have been simplified toillustrate aspects that are relevant for a clear understanding of theherein described devices, systems, and methods, while eliminating, forthe purpose of clarity, other aspects that may be found in typicaldevices, systems, and methods. Those of ordinary skill may recognizethat other elements and/or operations may be desirable and/or necessaryto implement the devices, systems, and methods described herein. Becausesuch elements and operations are well known in the art, and because theydo not facilitate a better understanding of the present disclosure, adiscussion of such elements and operations may not be provided herein.However, the present disclosure is deemed to inherently include all suchelements, variations, and modifications to the described aspects thatwould be known to those of ordinary skill in the art.

An illustrative embodiment of the present disclosure provides a bedslideassembly that is attached to the deck floor of the truck bed and isextendable and retractable relative thereto. For example, the bedslidemay be slid onto the deck floor and contained within the truck bed.Conversely, the bedslide may be pulled out of the truck bed not unlike adrawer may be pulled out of a cabinet.

As part of the illustrative disclosure herein, the disclosed bedslideassembly includes a middle frame locking latch system that selectivelysecures the middle frame with respect to the remaining assemblydepending on the position of the bedslide and the direction the bedslideis moving.

A perspective view of a bedslide assembly 2 with the bedslide deck 4located in its retracted position is shown in FIG. 1 . Here, bedslidedeck 4 is located over the frame members positioned over the deck floor(not shown) of a truck bed as well. A handle 6 is attached to top frameassembly 8. By holding handle 6, bedslide assembly 2 may be pulled intoan extended position or pushback to a retracted position in the truckbed.

To that end, a perspective view shown in FIG. 2 depicts the bedslidedeck 4 extended from a bottom frame assembly 10 which will be attachedto a truck bed deck floor (not shown). As a consequence, the bedslidedeck may be extended out from the deck floor of the truck bed. Alsoshown in this view is middle frame assembly 12 which provides furtherextension of bedslide deck 4 from the truck bed. In this way, contentsto be placed in the truck bed may be placed on bedslide deck 4 that maybe either extended out from the truck bed or retracted back into thetruck bed for easier access.

A perspective view of bottom frame assembly 10 is shown in FIG. 3 .Bottom frame assembly 10 includes a stop arm 14 extending from abackplate 16 and through at least a portion of bottom frame assembly 10.Bounding bottom frame assembly 10 also includes illustrative side panels18 and 20, with each including a attachment flange 22 for securing tothe deck floor of the truck bed. Cross members 24, 26, 28, and 30 areshown spaced apart from each other and extending transverse andattaching to side panels 18 and 20. A latch bracket 32 is located oncross member 26 on one lateral side of stop arm 14 as shown. A flangelatch bracket 34 includes an upwardly extending bracket flange 36. Inthe illustrated embodiment, flange latch bracket 34 is located on alateral opposing side of cross member 26 from latch bracket 32. Asfurther shown with respect stop arm 14, it includes periodicly spacedapart holes 38, 40, and 42 which will be stopping points along the pathof travel for the bedslide deck 4. Tab 44 extends from an end of stoparm 14 and assists directing stop pin to slide along stop arm 14. Aplurality of rollers 46 are rotatably attached to side panels 18 and 20as shown to allow middle frame assembly 12 to slide back and forth indirections 48 and 50 relative thereto.

A perspective view of the middle frame assembly 12 is shown in FIG. 4 .Middle frame assembly 12 includes longitudinally extending lower rails51 and 52 and spaced apart longitudinally extending upper rails 54 and56. As shown, upper rails 54 and 56 are stacked onto lower rails 51 and52, respectively. Lower rails 51 and 52 are sized to receive rollers 46located on side panels 18 and 20, respectively, to allow middle framemember 12 to slide with respect to bottom frame assembly 10 indirections 48 and 50 (see, also, FIGS. 7 though 11). Illustratively, therails are C-shaped bearing members with longitudinally extending lowerrails 51 and 52 directed outwardly and longitudinally extending upperrails 54 and 56 directed inwardly. It will be appreciated by the skilledartisan upon reading this disclosure that middle rail assembly 12 ismovable with respect to the bottom frame assembly 10 and top frameassembly 8 is movable with respect to middle frame assembly 12.

Cross members 58 and 60 are spaced apart from each other and extendlaterally between lower rails 51 and 52 as illustratively shown to keepsame spaced apart. A stop bracket 62 that includes an illustrativeupward-extending flange 63 is attached to cross member 60. An end crossmember 64 also spaced apart from cross members 58 and 60, extend betweenrails 51 and 52. End cross member 64 includes a latch assembly 66,opening 68, another latch assembly 70, and a safety stop 72. Latchassembly 66 is illustratively fitted in an illustrative U-shaped bracket74 and includes a downward depending hook 76 pivotably attached to apaddle 78. It is appreciated that downward depending hook 76 and paddle78 are pivotally biased, and in this illustrative case in a downwarddirection to a hooking position. Conversely, latch assembly 70 thoughalso contained in a U-shaped bracket 80 includes an upwardly extendinghook 82 with a paddle 84 that is spring biased in an upward direction.Stop 72 in an illustrative embodiment includes a pivotably attached stopbar 86 that is configured to provide a stop barrier when middle frameassembly 12 is moved in one direction but not in another. Also, stoppads 88 and 90 are illustratively located on end cross member 64 so thattop frame assembly 8 does not damage any of the structures on end crossmember 64.

A perspective view of top frame assembly 8 is shown in FIG. 5 . This topframe assembly 8 includes handle 6 to assist an operator to push or pullthe top frame assembly toward or away from the truck bed in directions50 and 48 (see, also, FIGS. 7 through 11 ). Illustrative front panel 92is attached to spaced apart and longitudinally extending side framemembers 94 and 96. Handle 6 is illustratively attached to front panel92. A plurality of rollers 98 are each spaced apart from each other andregularly placed on the exterior of side frame members 94 and 96 asillustratively shown. In this illustrative embodiment, outwardlyextending rollers are configured to fit into upper rails 54 and 56 ofmiddle frame assembly 12 so that top frame assembly 8 is movable alongand with respect to middle frame assembly 12. Cross members 100, 102,104, and 106 are spaced apart from each other and each connected to sideframe members 94 and 96. An end plate 108 is illustratively located atthe end of side frame members 94 and 96 opposite front panel 92. A stopmember 110 is attached to endplate 108. Illustratively, stop member 110includes a stop bar 112 pivotably attached to endplate 108 via bracket114. In an illustrative embodiment, stop bar 112 is pivotable in onedirection but not appreciably in another direction so as to notinterfere with movement of top frame assembly 8 in one direction butlimit the range of movement in another direction. Endplate 108 alsoincludes pass-through opening 116 to not interfere with latch assembly66 or stop arm 14.

Also included with the top frame assembly 8 is selected stop assembly118 which is configured to selectively stop top frame assembly 8 withrespect to the other frame assemblies. Illustratively stop assembly 118may include a longitudinally extending rod 120 that extends from plate102 to a stop mechanism 122. Brackets 124 and 126 suppot longitudinallyextending rod 120 and allow same to illustratively move in directions128 and 130. A grip 132 is attached to longitudinally extending rod 120which is disposed through front panel 92 so that an operator may moverod 182 and either directions 128 and 130. Stop mechanism 122 isillustratively configured to translate movement in directions 128 and130 into transverse movement of a stop pin 134 in directions 136 and138. In this illustrative embodiment, longitudinally extending rod 120is movably attached to a bracket 140 at pivot 141 that is also attachedto a pivot pin 142 spaced apart pivot 141. Bracket 140 is pivotallyattached to stop pin 134 at pivot pin 144. Stop pin 134 is also disposedthrough a bracket 146 that is secured to endplate 108. The net effect isthat as longitudinally extending rod 120 is pulled in direction 128,bracket 140 is pivoted about pivot pin 142 thereby moving bracket 140which also moves stop pin 134. Because stop pin 134 is held by bracket146, movement of stop pin 134 is limited to moving in either directions130 or 128. In an illustrative embodiment, a spring can biaslongitudinally extending rod 120 in direction 130. In other words,unless a force is applied to longitudinally extending rod 120 indirection 128, it will bias toward direction 130. Similarly, a samespring or different spring can act on stop pin 134 and bias it indirection 136. This means that unless a force from bracket 140 isapplied to stop pin 134 in direction 138, the spring bias will move stoppin 134 in direction 136. The net result of this is without an opposingforce applied to selective stop assembly 118, stop pin 134 will remainextended in direction 136. Lastly, with respect to endplate 108, itincludes a latching flange 148 configured to selectively engage upwardlyextending hook 82 of latching assembly 70 of middle frame assembly 12.

A perspective view of bedslide deck 4 is shown in FIG. 6 . It iscontemplated that bedslide deck 4 will attach to side frame members 94and 96 of top frame assembly 8 via fastener holes 150. Accordingly,bedslide deck 4 will move in concert with top frame assembly 8. In thisillustrative embodiment, railings 152 are placed about the periphery oftop frame assembly 8.

Perspective views of bedslide assembly 2 positioned between 100%extension and 0% extension are shown in FIGS. 7, 8, 9, 10, and 11 . Theview in FIG. 7 shows bedslide assembly 2 at full 100% extension (slidedeck 4 has been removed for demonstrative purposes). Here, the 100%extension is defined by the limit of movement between the middle frameassembly 12 and top frame assembly 8. In this position, rollers 98 aremovable within upper rails 54 and 56 of middle frame assembly 12. Theextent to which top frame assembly 8 extends from middle frame assembly12 is limited by stop bar 112 of stop member 110 engagingupward-extending flange 63 of stop bracket 62. Because of the blockingcreated by these structures, top frame assembly 8 cannot move anyfurther in direction 48 with respect to middle frame assembly 12.Likewise, stop bar 86 of safety stop 72 engages bracket flange 36 offlange latch bracket 34 on bottom frame assembly 10. This limits theextent to which middle frame assembly 12 can travel in direction 48toward the extended position with respect to bottom frame assembly 10.In other words, by these structures the full extent to which each ofmiddle frame assembly 12 and top frame assembly 8 can extend from atruck bed deck have been reached.

In addition, downward depending hook 76 of latch assembly 66 attached toend cross member 64 is engaged with latch bracket 32 on cross member 26of bottom frame assembly 10. With this latching, middle frame assembly12 is coupled to bottom frame assembly 10. This means that middle frameassembly 12 will not move with respect to bottom frame assembly 10 untilan action causes latch assembly 66 to disengage from latch bracket 32.

Pushing top frame assembly 8 inward as shown in the perspective view ofbedslide assembly in FIG. 8 causes bedslide assembly 2 to retract indirection 50 towards bottom frame assembly 10 and the truck bed. In thiscase, middle frame assembly 12 is latched to bottom frame assembly 10.Those two frames will not move with respect to each other while topframe assembly 8 is moving in direction 50. The net effect is that whenmoving the bedslide assembly 2 in the push direction (i.e., direction50), only top frame assembly 8 will be moving at that time. Furthermore,top frame assembly 8 is free to move in either directions 48 or 50 alonewith middle frame assembly 12 and bottom frame assembly 10 secured inplace.

When bedslide assembly 2 is located at the about 50% extension positionas shown in FIG. 9 , end plate 108 of top frame assembly 8 engages latchassembly 66 of middle frame assembly 12. When this happens, endplate 108strikes paddle 78 of latch assembly 66 (see, also, FIG. 16 ) whichpushes downward depending hook 76 upwards releasing it from latchbracket 32. In addition, because upwardly extending hook 82 of latchassembly 70 is directed upward, it will engage latching flange 148 onendplate 108. The latching between top frame assembly 8 and middle frameassembly 12 essentially connects them together.

Further, the 50% extension is an illustrative stop position for stop arm14. As shown, stop pin 134 is extended into hole 38 disposed throughstop arm 14. If needed, tab 44 helps direct stop pin 134 to move alongstop arm 14. It is appreciated that stop pin 134 is biased in direction136. As stop pin 134 is moved along stop arm 14 there is enough biasforce in direction 138 to push stop pin 134 in direction 138 by stop arm14 until stop pin 134 reaches hole 38. At this point the force againstthe directional bias in 136 is relieved thus allowing stop pin 134 tomove back with the directional bias 136 and be disposed in hole 38. Whenthis happens, top frame assembly 8 is now held in place with respect tobottom frame assembly 10. Therefore, at this 50% extension position bothtop frame assembly 8 and middle frame assembly 12 are held together andtop frame assembly 8 is held with respect to bottom frame assembly 10.Top frame assembly 8 will not be able to move again until grip 132 pullslongitudinally extending rod 120 in direction 128 again to actuatebracket 140 to move stop pin 134 in direction 138 away from thedirection of bias 136 thereby pulling longitudinally extending rod 120to pivot bracket 140 with sufficient force against bias in direction 136to be overcome and move stop pin 134 in direction 138 to release stoppin 134 from hole 38 in stop arm 14. Upon this actuation, however, topframe assembly 8 and middle frame assembly 12 are able to further movein concert in either directions 48 and 50.

Further travel of top frame assembly 8 and middle frame assembly 12together in direction 50 toward backplate 16 of bottom frame assembly 10continues until stop pin 134 engages hole 40 disposed in stop arm 14 ofbottom frame assembly 10 as shown in FIG. 10 . Both top frame assembly 8and middle frame assembly 12 were moving together but now with stop pin134 being held by stop arm 14 both frame assemblies can no longer movewith respect to bottom frame assembly 10. This is a predesignated 25%extension. As previously described with respect to hole 38 of stop arm14, in order to move top frame assembly 8 and middle frame assembly 12any further, grip 132 needs to pull longitudinally extending rod 120 indirection 128 again to actuate bracket 140 to pivot and pull stop pin134 in direction 138 away from the direction of bias 136 to remove stoppin 134 from hole 40. When this happens, top frame assembly 8 maycontinue to move in direction 48 or 50.

When top and middle frame assemblies 8 and 12, respectively, travelfurther in direction 50 stop pin 134 eventually engages hole 42 in stoparm 14 to 0% extension as shown in FIG. 11 . Here, both top frameassembly 8 and middle frame assembly 12 are fitted in bottom frameassembly 10 representing full retraction. Like described with respect tohole 38 and hole 40 of stop arm 14, stop pin 134 holds all the frameassemblies together until grip 132 pulls longitudinally extending rod120 in direction 128 to move bracket 140 which holds stop pin 134 indirection 138 against bias direction 136 to remove stop pin 134 fromhole 42.

When it is desired to pull bedslide assembly 2 in order to extend same,grip 132 is pulled as previously discussed to remove stop pin 134 fromhole 42. When this occurs, top frame assembly 8 is now free to move indirection 48. Because the upwardly extending hook 82 of latch assembly70 is still engaged with latching flange 148 on endplate 108, top frameassembly 8 will pull middle frame assembly 12 with it in direction 48 toan extended position. This movement of both frame assemblies maycontinue until stop pin 134 reaches hole 40 at which point both frameassemblies will be stopped with respect to bottom frame assembly 10. Byagain, pulling grip 132 in direction 128 to release stop pin 134 fromhole 40 as previously described, top frame assembly 8 and middle frameassembly 12 are free to move in direction 48 again. This freedom ofmovement in direction 48 towards an extended position may continue untilstop pin 134 engages hole 38 in stop arm 14. At this point both topframe assembly 8 and middle frame assembly 12 are held in place at about50% extension such as that shown in FIG. 9 . At this point however, whenstop pin 134 is removed from hole 38 and top frame assembly 8 continuesto move position, endplate 108 no longer exerts a force upon downwarddepending hook 76 of latch assembly 66. This causes hook 76 (because ofbias force) to move and engage latch bracket 32 on cross member 26 ofbottom frame assembly 10. Bracket flange 36 of flange latch bracket 34also attached to cross member 26 of bottom frame assembly 10 strikespaddle 84 of latch assembly 70 to pivot upwardly extending hook 82releasing same from latching flange 148. Additionally, stop bar 86 ofsafety stop 72 on middle frame assembly 12 will engage bracket flange 36of flange latch bracket 34 on cross member 26 to prevent middle frameassembly 12 from moving any further in direction 48 from this point.This has the effect of the releasing top frame assembly 8 from middleframe assembly 12 while holding middle frame assembly 12 onto bottomframe assembly 10. At this point, top frame assembly 8 is able tocontinue moving in direction 48 toward positions such as that shown inFIG. 8 without middle frame assembly moving any further in direction 48.Top frame assembly 8 may continue moving in direction 48 until stop bar112 engages upward extending flange 63 of stop bracket 62 on middleframe assembly 12. At this point top frame assembly 8 will be that 100%extension as shown in FIG. 7 . It is further appreciated that bycontinually pulling longitudinally extending rod 120 in direction 128bracket 140 holds stop pin 134 in direction 138 against bias direction136 in order to hold stop pin 134 from any of holes 38, 40, and 42. Thisallows bedslide assembly 2 to move in either directions 48 or 50 freelythrough its permissable range of motion

Perspective detail views of the endplate 108 and latch assemblies 66 and70 of bedslide assembly 2 located at about the 50% extension positionare shown in FIGS. 12, 13, and 14 . The difference between the FIGS. 12and 13 is that endplate 108 is shown installed on top frame assembly 8in FIG. 12 , where it is removed for demonstrative purposes in FIG. 13 .The detail view in FIG. 14 is a partial cutaway view to show how bothendplate 108 of top frame assembly 8 and latch assembly 70 interact withflange latch bracket 34 on cross member 26 of bottom frame assembly 10.

At the 50% extension shown in FIGS. 12 and 13 , stop pin 134 of stopmechanism 122 is engaged with hole 38 in stop arm 14 (see, also, FIG. 9). At this stage, upwardly extending hook 82 is not yet engaged withlatching flange 148 on endplate 108. Latch assembly 66 has been engagedby endplate 108 by striking paddle 78 detaching middle frame assembly 12from bottom frame assembly 10 when stop pin 134 is released from stoparm 14. Top frame assembly 8 is movable in the push direction 50 solatching flange 148 of endplate 108 will engage upwardly extending hook82 of latch assembly 70 (see, also, FIG. 14 ), pivoting upwardlyextending hook 82 in direction 152 toward latching flange 148 ofendplate 108 and gripping to same. Thus, it's between the 50% and 25%extension, that when pushing top frame assembly 8, middle frame assembly12 is not only released from bottom frame assembly 10, but is thenlatched onto top frame assembly 8. This is how both top frame assembly 8and middle frame assembly 12 move together between 0% and 50% extension(whether pushing or pulling).

Additionally, because endplate 108 on top frame assembly 8 releasesdownward depending hook 76 of latch assembly 66, middle frame assembly12 is free from bottom frame assembly 10 and is movable with top frameassembly 8 between the 50% and 0% extension. It is noted that whenmiddle and top frame assemblies 12 and 8 move in the pull direction 48(see, e.g., FIG. 14 ), when latch assembly 66 contacts latch bracket 32bottom frame assembly 10 and middle frame assembly 12 are held together.

Further, at about the same time (or just before), flange latch bracket34 will engage latch assembly 70 releasing its upwardly extending hook82 from latching flange 148 of endplate 108 so that subsequent movementof top frame assembly 8 in the pull direction 48 releases middle frameassembly. Top frame assembly 8 is now moving alone without middle frameassembly 12 moving with it. Again, this is because middle frame assembly12 is held by bottom frame assembly 10 by virtue of latch assembly 66engaging latch bracket 32. As such, when moving bedslide assembly 2 inthe pull direction 48 extending from the truck bed, only top frameassembly 8 (with bedslide deck 4 attached thereto) is being moved withinthat range. Middle frame assembly 12 remains stationary through thatrange of movement. It is noteable that upwardly extending hook 82 andpaddle 84 are attached to spring 154 to bias upwardly extending hook 82to flange 148.

Also shown in this view is stop member 110 that includes stop bar 112pivotably attached to U-shape bracket 114 located on endplate 108 of topframe assembly 8. Stop bar 112 is pivotable with respect to endplate 108so that as top frame assembly 8 moves in direction 50 stop bar 112 canpivot out of the way and not serve as an obstruction. Conversely,however, when top frame assembly 8 moves in direction 48, anyobstructions such as upward extending flange 63 of stop bracket 62 (see,also, FIG. 7 ) limit top frame assembly 8 in its movement in thatdirection.

Detail cutaway perspective view of latch assembly 66 and latch bracket32 on middle and bottom frame assemblies 12 and 10, respectively, areshown in FIGS. 15 and 16 . It is appreciated from these views that, whenthe top frame assembly 8 is moved in the pull direction 48, endplate 108does not engage latch assembly 66. Instead, latch assembly 66 isspring-loaded or biased so that, as middle frame assembly 12 is moved inpull direction 48, downward depending hook 76 will pass over latchbracket 32, and then bias engagement thereto secures latch assembly 66to latch bracket 32. The result is that middle frame assembly 12 is nowcoupled to bottom frame assembly 10 keeping both stationary with respectto each other.

On the return push direction 50, as previously discussed, endplate 108strikes paddle 78 of latch assembly 66 lifting downward depending hook76 from latch bracket 32. This allows middle frame assembly 12 to bemovable with respect to the bottom frame assembly 10. And again, it isappreciated that by virtue of the coupling between latch assembly 70 andlatching flange 148 of endplate 108 of top frame assembly 8, top andmiddle frame assemblies 8 and 12 will move together in push direction50. Indeed, top and middle frame assemblies 8 and 12 will move togetherin both the push and pull directions 50 and 48 between 0% and 50%extension. Other structures shown in this view include stop member 110with stop bar 112 pivoting with respect to U-bracket 114. Also stop arm14 is shown including tab 44 and stop pin 134 illustratively disposed inhole 38.

In the drawings, some structural or method features may be shown inspecific arrangements and/or orderings. It should be appreciated,however, that such specific arrangements and/or orderings may not berequired. Rather, in some embodiments, such features may be arranged ina different manner and/or order than shown in the illustrative figures.Additionally, the inclusion of a structural or method feature in aparticular figure is not meant to imply that such feature is required inall embodiments and, in some embodiments, may not be included or may becombined with other features. It should also be appreciated that, to theextent any subject matter disclosed in this non-provisional patentdocument conflicts with the priority application, the disclosure fromthis non-provisional patent document controls.

What is claimed:
 1. A bedslide assembly for use on a deck bed of apickup truck, the bedslide assembly comprising: a bottom frame assemblyconfigured to be attached to the pickup truck; wherein the bottom frameassembly includes spaced apart opposing first and second side bars, anda plurality of rollers, wherein a first roller of the plurality ofrollers is rotatably attached to the first side bar and a second of theplurality of rollers is rotatably attached to the second side bar; amiddle frame assembly that includes opposing spaced apart first andsecond rail sets; wherein each of the first and second rail setsincludes an upper rail and a lower rail; a top frame assembly thatincludes spaced apart opposing first and second side bars, wherein atleast one roller is rotatably attached to the first side bar and atleast one roller is rotatably attached to the second side bar; whereinthe at least one roller rotatably attached to the first side bar of thetop frame assembly engages and is movable along the upper rail of thefirst rail set of the middle frame assembly and the at least one rollerrotatably attached to the second side bar of the top frame assemblyengages and is movable along the upper rail of the second rail set ofthe middle frame assembly; and wherein the at least one roller rotatablyattached to the first side bar of the bottom frame assembly engages andis rotatable along the lower rail of the first rail set of the middleframe assembly and the at least one roller rotatably attached to thesecond side bar of the bottom frame assembly engages and is rotatablealong the lower rail of the second rail set of the middle frameassembly.
 2. The bedslide assembly of claim 1, at least one cross memberextending transverse the first side bar and the second side bar of thebottom frame assembly, wherein the at least one cross member of thebottom frame assembly includes a first latch bracket and second latchbracket attached thereon, and a stop arm extending transverse to the atleast one cross member, wherein the stop arm includes a plurality ofperiodically spaced holes.
 3. The bedslide assembly of claim 1, whereinthe middle frame assembly includes at least one cross member with a fullextension stop bracket attached thereon, the middle frame assemblyfurther incudes a first latch assembly, a second latch assembly, and astop member.
 4. The bedslide assembly of claim 3, wherein the firstlatch assembly includes a hook biased toward a downward latchingdirection with respect to the deck bed, wherein this biased hookincludes a paddle both of which are pivotable, wherein the second latchassembly includes a second hook biased toward an upward latchingdirection with respect to the deck bed, and wherein this biased secondhook includes a paddle both of which are pivotable.
 5. The bedslideassembly of claim 3, wherein the stop member is at least partiallypivotable with respect to the middle frame assembly.
 6. The bedslideassembly of claim 2, wherein the top frame assembly further includes anend plate extending transverse to the first and second side bars, a stopmember, and a selective stop mechanism.
 7. The bedslide assembly ofclaim 6, wherein the stop member of the top frame assembly is at leastpartially pivotable with respect to the top frame assembly, wherein theselective stop mechanism includes a stop pin that extends transversewith respect to the spaced apart opposing first and second side bars ofthe top frame assembly, and wherein the stop pin of the selective stopmechanism is selectively engageable with any one of each of theplurality of periodically spaced holes of the stop arm to limit movementof the top frame assembly and the middle frame assembly with respect tothe bottom frame assembly at the any one of each of the plurality ofperiodically spaced holes.
 8. The bedslide assembly of claim 4, whereinthe hook of the second latch assembly is selectively engageable with anend plate of the top frame assembly, and when the paddle of the secondlatch assembly is struck by a second latch bracket of the bottom frameassembly the hook of the second latch assembly is releasable from thetop frame assembly.
 9. A bedslide assembly for use on a bed of a pickuptruck, the bedslide assembly comprising: a bottom frame assemblyconfigured to be attached to the pickup truck; a middle frame assemblythat is engageable with and movable along the bottom frame assembly; anda top frame assembly that includes a deck located thereon; wherein thetop frame assembly is engageable with and movable along the middle frameassembly.
 10. The bedslide assembly of claim 9, wherein the bottom frameassembly includes a first latch bracket, the middle frame assembly thatincludes a first latch assembly, wherein the first latch assemblyincludes a hook.
 11. The bedslide assembly of claim 10, wherein thebottom frame assembly includes a second latch bracket; the middle frameassembly that includes a second latch assembly, wherein the second latchassembly includes a hook.
 12. The bedslide assembly of claim 10, whereinthe hook of the first latch assembly is selectively engageable with thefirst latch bracket of the bottom frame assembly.
 13. The bedslideassembly of claim 11, wherein the top frame assembly that includes anend plate and the hook of the second latch assembly is selectivelyengageable with the end plate of the top frame assembly.
 14. Thebedslide assembly of claim 9, wherein the bottom frame assembly furthercomprises a stop arm with a plurality of periodically spaced holesdisposed therethrough.
 15. The bedslide assembly of claim 14, whereinthe top frame assembly includes a stop pin that is movable into any oneof each of the plurality of periodically spaced holes of the stop arm tolimit movement of the top frame assembly.
 16. The bedslide assembly ofclaim 9, wherein the middle frame assembly includes a stop member, andwherein the top frame assembly includes a stop member.
 17. The bedslideassembly of claim 16, wherein the middle frame assembly includes a fullextension stop bracket that is engagable with the stop member of the topframe assembly, and wherein the stop member of the middle frame assemblyis engagable with a second latch bracket of the bottom frame assembly.18. A bedslide assembly for use on a deck bed of a pickup truck, thebedslide assembly comprising: a bottom frame assembly configured to beattached to the pickup truck; wherein the bottom frame assembly includesspaced apart opposing first and second side bars, a plurality of rollerswherein a first roller of the plurality of rollers is rotatably attachedto the first side bar and a second of the plurality of rollers isrotatably attached to the second side bar; a middle frame assembly thatincludes opposing spaced apart first and second rail sets; wherein eachof the first and second rail sets includes an upper rail and a lowerrail; and a top frame assembly that includes spaced apart opposing firstand second side bars, at least one roller rotatably attached to thefirst side bar and at least one roller rotatably attached to the secondside bar.
 19. The bedslide assembly of claim 18, wherein the at leastone roller rotatably attached to the first side bar of the top frameassembly engages and is movable along the upper rail of the first railset of the middle frame assembly and the at least one roller rotatablyattached to the second side bar of the top frame assembly engages and ismovable along the upper rail of the second rail set of the middle frameassembly.
 20. The bedslide assembly of claim 18, wherein the at leastone roller rotatably attached to the first side bar of the bottom frameassembly engages and is rotatable along the lower rail of the first railset of the middle frame assembly and the at least one roller rotatablyattached to the second side bar of the bottom frame assembly engages andis rotatable along the lower rail of the second rail set of the middleframe assembly.